Ahead of UP polls, Bukhari floats Muslim front

8216;8216;This front is floated on the basis of self leadership, self politics and self strength to come forward to restrain excesses and exploitation which both Muslims and other depressed classes have been facing,8217;8217; Bukhari said. The front would begin talks with political parties and 8216;8216;like-minded organisations8217;8217; once it established a Muslim support base, he added.

Buoyed by the success of the Assam United Democratic Front AUDF led by Badruddin Ajmal, several Muslim fronts have cropped up in over the past few months, each banking on Muslim votes to see them through the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Bukhari today dismissed claims that such fronts would divide society. 8216;8216;Whenever we talk of the formation of any political party or forum, the label of communalism is stuck on me. But history, pre- and post-independence, is witness that no one is as secular as the Muslims in the country. But Muslims have gained nothing so far. All political parties have fooled the minority,8217;8217; he said.

He also brushed off fears of religious political fronts splitting the secular votes. 8216;8216;So-called secular parties have always held Muslims to ransom, creating a fear in the name of BJP. As a matter of fact, these parties do not want Muslims to unite because a rift among Muslims serves their interests,8217;8217; he said.

All India Progressive Janata Dal president and former Union minister CM Ibrahim was elected chairman of the front8217;s Supreme Council. AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Chowdhury was also present.